Linda Barrett - Count on a Cop

by Summer at the Lake

  Until the dog barked.

  They jumped apart and turned toward Quincy and Ashley. The girl wore a smile as big as Morningstar Lake.

  “Mom! Again. This is so cool.” She pumped her arm. “Yes, yes, yes.”

  Totally flustered, Kris couldn’t formulate a coherent sentence. Adding to her confusion was Quincy standing on his hind legs, front paws on Rick’s shoulders, kissing his man as though they’d been separated for years.

  “So, you like the idea, too, old buddy?” asked Rick as he played with his companion.

  The dog whined.

  “The only idea happening right now is dinner,” said Kristin, scrambling for a save. She grabbed a couple of pot holders and opened the oven door.

  “Five more minutes.” She peered back at him. “You’re welcome to stay, Rick.”

  His boyish grin was irresistible. “I’ll be back as soon as I get out of uniform.”

  She leaned against the table after he left, overwhelmed by what she’d discovered. Not about Rick’s past, but about her own present.

  By immersing herself in helping Ashley, she’d totally ignored her own needs, her own relationships.

  Rick’s touch during the past few weeks had reminded her that there were two important people in her family.

  CHAPTER NINE

  DANNY AND MADISON showed up the next morning just as Kristin and Ashley finished clearing away the breakfast dishes.

  “Mommy said you could come to the parade with us, Ashley. You and your mom.” The boy glanced shyly at Kristin, then added, “We’ve got an SUV and everyone can fit.”

  Kris waited to see how Ashley would respond, and wasn’t surprised to see her shake her head.

  “I—I don’t like parades, but thanks anyway. Have a good time. And make sure you don’t get lost.”

  Her daughter sounded more like a worried adult than a child.

  “Don’t like parades?” squealed Madison, grabbing on to the first part of Ashley’s sentence. “Why not? They’re fun. There’s music…and—”

  Madison. So confident.

  “And fire engines and Boy Scouts!” continued Danny.

  “There’s Girl Scouts…”

  “And soldiers…and the flag.”

  “And ice cream,” added Madison. “There’s lots of people, but everybody gets ice cream.”

  The siblings looked eagerly at Ash, their faces full of expectation. “So now will you come?”

  Her daughter stood perfectly still, and Kris held her breath. Come on, Ash. Don’t be afraid.

  But Ash was shaking her head slowly. “No, thank you.”

  “Aww.” Danny walked to Quincy, who gave him a lick. “Hi, boy.” Then the child said, “I hafta take Quincy. He always marches in the parade with me.”

  “What do you mean, he marches?” Ashley asked, her surprise mixed with displeasure. “Parades aren’t for dogs.”

  “Well, at the end, all the boys and their dogs bring up the tail. Get it? The tail? It’s a joke word.”

  “I get it,” said Ash, flashing a tiny smile. She reached for the dog’s leash, clipped it on his collar and led him outside, the younger children following. Kris stood inside the screen door.

  “Here, Danny. You can take him. I’ll see you all later.” Ash offered the leash to the boy, who slipped his fingers through the looped handle and started for the steps.

  “Maybe you’ll change your mind,” he said, glancing over his shoulder.

  “No. I’m fine.” But her voice trembled.

  Kristin stepped outside. Her daughter’s expression revealed the true story. She yearned to go with the kids.

  “I’ll be with you every minute, honey,” she said, standing behind Ashley and gently pressing her shoulders. “In fact, I’ll get another leash and tie us together. What do you say?”

  There was silence. Quick tears. Longing and indecision clearly etched on her daughter’s face as she watched the children walk away.

  “I’m afraid. I’m afraid.” Her voice was a raspy whisper, her words were followed by a sob, and her body tensed under Kristin’s hands.

  Kristin took a breath. “Don’t let him win, Ash. Go to the parade. We’ll go together. Don’t let him win.”

  Before Ash could respond, Quincy’s barking distracted them.

  The dog had stopped a short distance from the front steps, looking back toward the house. Waiting.

  “He wants you to go with them,” encouraged Kristin. “Me, too.”

  “I can’t. I just can’t.” Ash started to cry in earnest, turned around and held on to her mom, sobbing against her.

  Quincy yipped and immediately returned to the porch, herding Danny and Madison ahead of him, the leash now dragging on the ground. Once there, he made a beeline for Ashley and stood close, nuzzling her and “talking.” The girl dropped to her knees and hugged him as she always did when she was upset.

  Madison pulled on Kristin’s hand and led her to the far end of the porch. “What’s wrong with Ashley? She shouldn’t cry because of a parade.”

  “Yeah,” said Danny. “Even if she doesn’t go, we’ll still be her friends.”

  They were sweet children, with good hearts. No one had given Kristin instructions on what to say to other youngsters about Ashley. She decided to stick to the basics.

  “Ashley once got lost in a crowded mall. I wasn’t there. She couldn’t find her friends, and she couldn’t find a security guard or a policeman. She felt alone in the middle of thousands of people. And she was scared.”

  Danny’s eyes couldn’t get wider.

  “Cell phone.” The pragmatic Madison.

  “Great idea,” said Kristin. “We bought one the next day.”

  A tiny white lie that reassured Madison there was a way out of trouble. In reality, Ash hadn’t had a chance to use her phone.

  They returned to her and her four-legged friend. Ashley was smiling again, but now Kristin worried that dependency on the dog could become a problem in its own right.

  “Ash, you have a job to do,” she began. “If you don’t want to watch the parade, you must give Quincy the freedom to go with Madison and Danny. You can’t be selfish. Doesn’t that handsome guy deserve to show off in front of everyone? Doesn’t Danny deserve to have fun with all the other boys and their dogs?”

  Madison said, “Don’t be afraid, Ashley. I promise to stand next to you every minute. You won’t get lost like in the mall.”

  Ash glanced up quickly. “Mom! What did…”

  Danny walked closer, his normally smooth brow furrowed. “Every kid gets lost sometimes. Even me. One time, we were in Madison Square Garden. The Knicks were playing and a zillion people were there, and I had to go to the bathroom, and I couldn’t find my way back. And you know what happened? A million policemen came and searched for me up and down every aisle, calling ‘Dan-ny, Dan-ny,’ and they wouldn’t let anyone leave the building and they stopped the game, and all the Knicks players helped….”

  Kristin worked hard to keep a straight face. Not so the storyteller’s big sister.

  “Danny’s making it all up,” said Madison, exasperation lacing her voice. “He always does that.”

  “No, I’m not! We did go to Madison Square Garden, and it could have happened,” protested the boy.

  Kris glanced at Ash and wished she had a camera. Her eyes gleamed, her smile was genuine—sweet Lord, she actually appeared carefree!

  “Mom, I never knew kids like these. They’re cool even when they’re fighting. They’re not afraid of anything. I want to be like that.”

  “I know you do.”

  “And besides,” Ashley said quietly, “I think you’re right. Quincy isn’t really my dog. He’s entitled to show off with Danny.” She remained silent for a moment, but Kristin sensed she had more to say.

  Ash took a deep breath. “I think,” she began, “I think we should all go to the parade.”

  KRISTIN’S JOURNAL—Monday, May 29—Memorial Day Evening

  Ashley’s brave cho
ice paid off. For two hours today, she forgot her troubles. No shadows, no reluctance, lots of laughter. It was I who wanted to cry. But I didn’t. And when I saw Rick’s face—full of surprise and delight—and the warmth in his expression when he gave me a thumbs-up, I wanted to run into his arms and celebrate with him.

  Of course, he was on duty, looking awfully handsome in that uniform. Ashley waved to him wildly and he came over for a quick visit where we stood in front of the town hall. Sharp-eyed as ever, he noticed the tote bag Ash and I shared, the strap big enough for both our arms to go through.

  “Nice save,” he said. His entire family surrounded us, his niece and nephew so protective of their friend, until the parade captured everyone’s attention.

  The best part of the day was when Ash tied a red bow around Quincy and sent him off with Danny to march. She cheered louder than anyone else, her face alight, as the boys and their dogs brought up the “tail” of the parade. And then she asked, “Why can’t girls and dogs march?”

  I’ll never forget this day. Another breakout day for Ashley. Another day of hope…until the next situation arises.

  In the meantime, we’ll share this with Dr. Kaplan on our next visit.

  KRISTIN PAUSED in her writing, but her thoughts raced on, replaying the rest of the day. Rick had joined her and Ash for dinner, after the parade and after Rick’s family had returned to the city. The three of them sat together around the kitchen table, the shepherd with his own bowl on the floor. They could have posed for a snapshot of the all-American family.

  It excited her and it made her nervous; especially because Ash blossomed in Rick’s company. She joined the conversation, voiced opinions. Laughed at his jokes. Was she simply missing a father? Or did Rick make her feel safe because of his profession? Or none of the above? Maybe he was just a natural with children, like Ashley’s great-uncle from John’s side of the family. Uncle Sid always had silly jokes to tell, and puzzles for the kids to figure out. Ashley adored him. And it seemed she adored Rick, as well.

  But the little imp! After dinner, Rick suggested a short piano concert from their prima player. Her daughter responded by playing the most romantic music she could think of, classic and pop. From her extensive repertoire, she pulled out a true classic: Hoagy Carmichael’s “Stardust.” And that’s when Rick invited Kristin to dance.

  She’d been nervous. It had been a long time since she’d danced, and that had been with a different man. But Rick stood before her, hand extended. She clasped it, rose from the sofa and slipped into his arms. Strong, safe, caring…

  “Oh my,” she whispered.

  His lips brushed her temple. “Yeah,” he agreed.

  And they began to move to the music, quickly learning each other’s nuances. They soon danced with fluidity and grace, as though they’d been partners a hundred times before.

  “You really move well,” she said softly. “A natural.”

  “So are you.”

  She shook her head. “My husband was the natural dancer, and an excellent teacher.”

  She regretted the words, but Rick didn’t miss a beat, literally or figuratively.

  “Then I’m an extra lucky man.”

  Silently, they moved in unison, in tune with each other until the song faded away. Then they stood quietly, content to study each other, until Ashley piped up. “How about something fast and feel-good?”

  Instantly came the music of Martha and the Vandellas’ “Dancing in the Street.” And they went at it with the gusto and fervor of teenagers.

  It had been a great evening, and when they’d kissed good-night, Kris had been very glad she’d sent Ash to bed earlier. Their latest “feel-good” activity wasn’t fast at all, but very lovely.

  Kris put her journal away, more than satisfied with recent events. Rick’s family would return next month when school was over, and remain for the summer. Morningstar Lake already seemed quiet without them. Ashley must have realized that, too, for she looked sad when she’d waved goodbye.

  Kristin, however, had quietly celebrated. If Ash wanted to be with other kids, that was progress. Maybe she’d want to visit some of her own friends after she saw Dr. Kaplan next time. Sabrina would be the best choice. Ash’s closest friend, the one who’d gone to the movies with her that day.

  ALTHOUGH ASHLEY WAS a great kid, thought Rick, driving to work on Tuesday, she couldn’t be left alone in the evening, not even with Quincy for company. If he was ever going to have true private time with Kris, they’d need a sitter. Sophie and Ben would have been acceptable, but they weren’t available the following weekend. He mentally sifted through a variety of people in town, even considered Ms. Rules, as well as Sam and Doris Keaton. But after a moment’s debate, he shook his head. Ashley didn’t know them well enough and might object to everyone on that short list. She hadn’t been away from Kristin since the incident.

  He pulled out his cell phone and left a message for his dad. His folks might enjoy riding to his rescue with an extra weekend trip to the lake, and he felt sure Ash would have no objections. She’d enjoyed being with his entire family over the weekend. His folks might view it as a very worthy cause—their son was smiling again, at least sometimes. An image of dancing with Kristin did make him smile.

  Once in the office, however, he had no time for daydreams. Sam’s deputy sheriff briefed the morning shift on the county hot sheets, APBs and other national crime information, reviewed the parade’s crowd control and assigned Rick to a patrol car and his area of responsibility. It all seemed familiar. Rick supposed that when it came to briefings, certain similarities existed everywhere. It was just another day in the life of a street cop. And it didn’t feel too bad. Yet.

  He was heading to the back lot to get his vehicle when the desk sergeant hailed him and waved toward a phone.

  “For you. The girl’s case.”

  He picked up the receiver. “Cooper here.”

  “This is Officer Joe Silva from the Mayfield office in Nassau County.”

  “You got something?”

  “Maybe. We made a collar an hour ago. His victim was a young girl who knew how to scream real loud in the playground of the same middle school where the McCarthy girl goes.”

  Sounds in the office disappeared as Rick listened hard.

  “Go on.”

  “Do we have a case? Don’t know yet. Is there any connection to the McCarthy girl? I don’t know that, either. Maybe we’ve got nuthin’ except a sicko who likes little girls.”

  “I hear you.” The downstate cop was frustrated. Without a proper identification, they couldn’t charge him with Ashley’s assault.

  “Any chance of the McCarthy girl making an ID? We’d show her a lineup. We’d treat her with kid gloves.”

  “I know you would.” But he also knew Ashley wasn’t ready. Going to the parade had been a huge accomplishment. Viewing a lineup wasn’t going to happen.

  “Fax the guy’s mug shot to the office here. I’ll see what I can do from this end.”

  “Better than nuthin’, I guess.”

  “Yeah,” Rick said. “I’m afraid it’s going to take some time.”

  “Time? Come on, Cooper. The case is cold already. I’m calling you out of courtesy to Evans and Wheeler—two pals of mine. Oh, and the mother. She’s a regular caller. Even got your sheriff involved. Gotta keep him in the loop, too.”

  “Then good for Kristin McCarthy. I’ve been working with the kid, Joe. Keep working your end. One day that little Ashley McCarthy’s going to fight back big-time.”

  A moment of silence stretched to two. “You really think so?” Silva’s voice had gone soft.

  “I do.”

  “I’ve got two daughters myself. These cases can stab ya right in the heart, ya know?”

  “Yeah.” Rick sighed. “I know.”

  He waited for the fax and tucked it in his pocket.

  KRISTIN’S SMILE of welcome when she opened the door that evening sent his heart flying to the stratosphere. Genuine warmth. Genu
ine gladness.

  He leaned down and kissed her with no words spoken. No words were needed.

  “I’m closing my eyes,” sang out Ashley. “You’re getting mushy.”

  “Down, boy,” whispered Kristin. “And I don’t mean Quincy.”

  She had a point. Rick entered the room, tousled Ash’s hair. “How’re you doing today, kiddo?”

  “Fine. Guess what? Mom’s been on the phone a lot, and we’re taking classes at the Y starting next week. Pow! Pow!” She raised her arms and struck phantom blows.

  “Terrific, Ashley. That’s great. Go easy on your mom, though, okay? She’s perfect just the way she is.”

  He loved blondes. They couldn’t hide their embarrassment. He watched the red splotches travel from Kristin’s chest to her forehead.

  “Let’s see how perfect this meal is,” she said, quickly checking the timer on the stove. “Rick, you’re still in uniform. Want me to hold back while you change and get comfortable?”

  It was as good an opening as he was going to get. He tapped his pocket and tried to lead into his subject slowly. “I actually have a little piece of business to talk about with you first. So maybe you should hold dinner for a few minutes.”

  All humor vanished from the kitchen. Two strained faces stared at him. “Nassau County arrested a predator early this morning in a school yard located at…” He took the folded sheet from his pocket and turned to the reverse side, where he’d made notes. He gave the location.

  “That’s my school!”

  Kristin agreed.

  He studied Ash and quickly knew he’d lost her, despite her initial outburst. She was staring at the wall, her eyes wide, the dark centers enlarging to cover most of the blue. Quincy moved to her side without being told, and Rick knelt in front of her. He had to try.

  “Can you look at me, Ash?” He stroked her cheek and tapped her chin until she cooperated. “We need your help, honey, if we’re ever going to get this guy.”

  Nothing.

  “I’ve got a picture of the man from the school yard in my pocket,” he continued. “Can you take a quick look and just nod if you recognize him?”

  She stared over his shoulder. “It was dark,” she whispered. “I didn’t see anything. I don’t remember.” She spoke fast, too fast. But tears welled and dropped slowly.